7th November 2025, NewsOrient, Opinion, Column News, Governance And Development
By Emeka Nwosu, PhD.

The essence of governance in a democracy is to improve the living standards of the people and their overall wellbeing. It is the duty of government to ensure that the citizenry is provided with the enabling environment to thrive and prosper. This is essentially why the Constitution identifies the welfare and security of the people as the primary responsibility of government. Generally, governance is to ensure that the right atmosphere is created for the citizens to realize their God-given potentials and fulfill their aspirations.

Since two and half years ago when Otti assumed the leadership of Abia State, he has, through his well thought-out policies, programmes and initiatives, made lives more meaningful for the people. His governance has brought unprecedented economic development and rekindled hope of a better future in the vast majority of the people. He has recorded impressive achievements in several fields of endeavor in the state. And these have continued to endear him to the good people of Abia.

In continuation of his determination to deliver good governance and inspire rapid economic development in the state, Governor Otti, a few days ago, disclosed the intention of Abia State Government to go into a partnership with the Government of neighbouring Akwa Ibom State to build a railway line to link the two states. This is a wonderful initiative that would go a long way in opening up the economies of the states to the world and transforming the lives of the people.

Otti, who made the disclosure while addressing a delegation of China Harbor Engineering Company Limited who visited him, noted that the Akwa Ibom State Government led by Governor Umoh Eno had indicated interest in collaborating with Abia State to connect the two states with a rail line, explaining that the plan would promote trading activities between the two states if it is consummated.
“And the last time I discussed with my colleague in Akwa Ibom State, he also indicated intention to link Akwa Ibom with Abia because of the trading and cultural affinity.

“So, maybe it`s something that you may want to have a look at. There is a design already; you may condemn it and do your own”.

It is indeed gladdening to know that an engineering design already exists on the project. This clearly underscores the seriousness of Governor Otti and his Akwa Ibom counterpart to walk the talk. Mercifully, the two major cities in Abia, namely Aba and Umuahia, are serviced by the existing Port Harcourt- Enugu- Maiduguri railway line. All that may be required would be to link Akwa Ibom through Aba or Umuahia to connect Ikot Ekpene and Uyo.

The Managing Director of the Chinese company, Jason Wang, in his response, said that his firm was ready and willing to partner with the Abia State Government in the execution of the project, including a proposed Seaport development at Azumini in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia. This is heartwarming, and must be encouraged by all well-meaning people of Abia State.

It is said that ideas rule the world. Otti has big ideas. Within a short time on the political saddle, he has proven that these big ideas can be crystallized into reality. What he has done in the transformation of the Port Harcourt Road, and the abandoned Enyimba Hotel all in Aba, and Ossah Road, now renamed Aguiyi Ironsi Boulevard in Umuahia and the reconstruction of the Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Ohafia Road, are glaring examples of making big ideas come true. The Abia Industrial and Innovation Park (AIIP), Owaza in Ukwa West LGA is another big idea that is gradually unfolding as a signature project.

The proposed Abia-Akwa Ibom rail link is a worthy idea that should be firmly pursued by both governments because of the economic potentials. If the plan is achieved, it would bring unprecedented economic prosperity and empowerment to all the communities located within the proposed railway corridor. All the farming communities in the area would be able to bring their agricultural products to the major cities in the two states seamlessly.

There is no doubt that the railway project would provide job opportunities to the populace, especially the teeming youths who are currently idling away.

To ensure that this idea comes to fruition, the two governors should get the newly created South East Development Commission (SEDC) and South South Development Commission (SSDC) to key into the project as development partners. Their buy-in is necessary, given the capital intensive nature of the project.

Regional integration and economic cooperation is the way to go. We applaud Otti and his Akwa Ibom counterpart for their thoughtfulness, and pray that God will give them the resilient spirit to power on with this noble initiative.

Dr. Nwosu, a Public Policy Analyst, writes from Umuahia.
Email: cdnwosu2@gmail.com

~ Published By NewsOrient Network

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